Many people today know the German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz for its ultra-luxury sedans and SUVs. However, the company has an extremely rich racing heritage. One of its most revered racecars to date is the 300 SLR.
It was the car that won numerous races during the 1950s. Taking inspiration from this iconic racecar back in 2011, the popular car designer Dilip Chhabria, whom we know as DC, created an homage to the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR.
DC Mercedes SLR300
The pictures of the DC Mercedes SLR300 have been shared on Facebook by DC2 Dilip Chhabria. In these images, we can note this stunning recreation of the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR. This particular car, designed and created by DC, features an elongated bonnet, sleek curves, and an open-top design.
All of these are reminiscent of the 1950s racecar. The car features massive “722″ decals, which are a nod to the original 300 SLR’s racing number, famously driven by Stirling Moss in the 1955 Mille Miglia.
The bodywork looks absolutely stunning with two flying buttresses behind the driver and passenger seats. It also gets a silver color on the outside and a houndstooth interior. The car also features classic wire-spoked wheels and a minimalistic windshield.
We can also note that this recreation features iconic butterfly doors, a three-spoke wooden steering wheel, and a lot of other details that set it apart. The lower portion of this car, created by DC, is finished in a lovely deep blue color. Overall, it looks very beautiful and every racing enthusiast and classic car lover will appreciate this timeless creation.
What car is this based on?
While the exterior is a tribute to the past, the DC Mercedes SLR300 is built on a newer Mercedes-Benz car. This particular recreation utilizes the chassis and mechanical components of a Mercedes W124 sedan.
The W124 sedan, which evolved into the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, is known for its durability and advanced engineering. All of the suspension, drivetrain, and safety features of the W124 have been retained.
How did the DC Mercedes SLR300 come to reality?
DC Design, led by the popular designer Dilip Chhabria, is famous for its unique automotive creations. This particular car’s transformation process involved stripping down the W124 to its bare essentials and then rebuilding it with custom-designed body panels and interiors. It was designed and created back in 2011.
Original Mercedes 300 SLR
The original 300 SLR from Mercedes-Benz was considered one of the most dominant forces in the mid-1950s racing scene. At the time, this racecar managed to win numerous races and set records that stood for decades. Its most famous victory came at the 1955 Mille Miglia.
In this race, Sir Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson completed the 1,000-mile race in just over 10 hours. They averaged a speed of nearly 100 mph. The original 300 SLR was powered by a 3.0-liter straight-eight engine, producing around 300 horsepower. It featured innovative technologies such as direct fuel injection and lightweight construction using magnesium-alloy bodywork.
